Basal cell carcinoma misdiagnosed as trichoepithelioma

Expression of Early Growth Response 3 in Skin Cancers

OBJECTIVE

To assess the expression of early growth response 3 (EGR3) in normal skin and different types of skin tumors: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma (MM), and cutaneous adnexal tumors containing sebaceous carcinoma (SC), trichoepithelioma (TE) and clear cell hidradenoma (CCH).

BACKGROUND

EGR3, expressed in multiple organs, including skin, plays an important role in cell differentiation and tumor growth. Previous studies have shown that EGR3 suppresses tumor growth and is downregulated in various malignancies. However, its distribution in normal skin and its expression especially in skin tumors have not been studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples of normal cases (n = 4), cSCC (n = 12), BCC (n = 12), MM (n = 12), SC (n = 4), TE (n = 4), and CCH (n = 4) were collected from patients treated in our department between 2018 and 2023. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of EGR3. The results were analyzed with the description of the staining pattern and the histochemical score.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical staining showed that EGR3 was uniquely expressed in normal skin in the granular layer and upper part of the stratum spinosum, as well as in sebaceous glands and hair follicles, but not in sweat glands. In skin cancers, BCC, SC, and TE showed positive EGR3 staining, whereas cSCC, MM, and CCH were negative.

CONCLUSIONS

EGR3 has a specific expression pattern in normal skin and in skin tumors, which is important for the differential diagnosis of skin tumors, in particular for cSCC and sebaceous gland carcinoma.

Case report of a solitary fibrofolliculoma on the alar rim

Fibrofolliculoma is a benign tumor characterized by a smooth, dome-shaped papule of size 2–4 mm. Most fibrofolliculomas occur as multiple lesions, and very rarely, they are solitary. Herein, we report a case of solitary fibrofolliculoma found in the alar rim, without the typical characteristics of a fibrofolliculoma. A 42-year-old man visited the hospital with a protruding lesion that had occurred 1 year previously. A mass of size 5× 7 mm was observed on the left alar rim. The tumor was dome-shaped and palpable. The patient did not have any similar lesions elsewhere. No family member was known to have such a lesion. An incisional biopsy was performed before surgery, and pathological examination revealed hyperkeratosis and dyskeratosis; however, an accurate diagnosis was not made. Complete resection was planned for the mass on the alar rim. The resected mass was subjected to permanent biopsy, and the pathological examination results led to the diagnosis of fibrofolliculoma. Therefore, when diagnosing a dome-shaped mass in the alar rim, despite the suspicion of a very rare disease, it is necessary to suspect fibrofolliculoma and consider the process from diagnostic examination to treatment.

Does reduction of the oncologic safety margin for facial basal cell carcinoma result in higher recurrence rates?

Background

Wide surgical excision is the gold standard for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment. Typically, resection requires a safety margin ≥ 4 mm. We aimed to confirm BCC excisions’ cancer recurrence rate and safety on the facial region with new safety margins.

Methods

We included patients with primary BCC on the facial region who underwent wide excision with 2- or 3-mm safety margins at our institution between January 2010 and December 2018. Medical records were reviewed to confirm the epidemiology and surgical information. Recurrence was confirmed by physical examination through regular 6-month follow-up.

Results

We included 184 out of 233 patients in this study after applying the exclusion criteria. The mean age and follow-up period were 71.2±10.2 years and 29.3±13.5 months, respectively. The predominantly affected area was the nose (95 cases); a V-Y advancement flap was the most commonly used surgical method. There were two cases of recurrence in the 2 mm margin group and one recurrence in the group resected with 3 mm margins.

Conclusion

In this large cohort study, we found 2–3 mm excision margins can yield enough safety in facial BCCs. The recurrence rates were found to be comparable with those reported after wider margins.

Giant basal cell carcinoma of the left lateral neck

Basal cell carcinoma is a malignant epithelial neoplasm of the skin and the most common human skin cancer. It is generally associated with a good prognosis. In this case report, a giant basal cell carcinoma of the nodulo-ulcerative type showing wide ulceration with marginal multiple small nodules, is presented. It was trapezoidal in shape, having dimensions of 7 cm at the greatest basal width, 6 cm vertically with different anterior and posterior margin dimensions, and 5 cm horizontally at the top margin. After wide excision of the lesion including 5–10 mm safety margins, the wound was reconstructed with a local skin flap and split-thickness skin graft. The reconstructed wound healed well without recurrence for 1 year.